Moon of Alabama Brecht quote
December 05, 2022

Ukraine - Crimea Bridge Repaired, No Ammunition, Drone Attacks In Russia

On October 8 a Ukrainian bomb destroyed the southern part of the car bridge to Crimea. The northern part was also slightly damaged, a passing train on the rail bridge next to it burned out. Some people in Kiev were quite happy about it:

Syricide @Syricide - 8:33 UTC · 10 Oct 2022 #Kiev yesterday.

bigger

But the train traffic resumed a day later. The northern part of the car bridge was checked and car traffic in both directions was allowed. Repair preparations for the broken southern part immediately began.

Two days later the Russian military responded to the attack with the first intense strike against Ukraine's electricity infrastructure.

Now, less than two month later, the work is already done. Four damaged bridge spans have been replaced and a new tar cover has been laid on them. Today the Russia president drove a car over it:

Putin, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, was shown on state television behind the wheel of a Mercedes, asking questions about where the attack took place.

"We are driving on the right hand side," Putin said, as he drove across the bridge. "The left side of the bridge, as I understand it, is in working condition, but nevertheless it needs to be completed. It still suffered a little, we need to bring it to an ideal state."

Putin also walked along parts of the bridge, Europe's largest, to inspect sections that are still visibly scorched.

Bidirectional traffic will now run on the southern span while the slightly damaged northern span will be repaired. This is likely to be finished before the end of the year.

Since the bridge attack the electricity infrastructure of Ukraine has received more missile attention. Today another attack followed. Kiev is again without electricity and water. It may well find that it will no longer be able to repair the damage.

One wonders what the people who posed in front of that bridge attack stamp poster think about that.

---

Another bad news for Kiev is that the U.S. publicized that it has limited the range of the missile launchers it had given to Ukraine:

The U.S. secretly modified the advanced Himars rocket launchers it gave Ukraine so they can’t be used to fire long-range missiles into Russia, U.S. officials said, a precaution the Biden administration says is necessary to reduce the risk of a wider war with Moscow. The U.S. since June has supplied Ukrainian forces with 20 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers, or Himars, and a large inventory of satellite-guided rockets with a range of almost 50 miles. U.S. officials say the Pentagon has modified the launchers so they can’t fire long-range missiles, including the U.S.’s Army Tactical Missile System rockets, or ATACMS, which have a range of nearly 200 miles.

That this was published is likely a hint to Ukraine that any attempt to acquire ATACMS from some U.S. allies who also have those systems will be useless. But what happens if they provide such missile and launchers that were not disabled to use them? Is the U.S. confident that its allies will make similar modifications?

The Ukrainian war machine is running on empty because the 'west' can no longer provide weapons and ammunition in meaningful quantities. The chance to change that in any reasonable time frame is low:

“High-end conflict consumes a lot of munitions and a lot of weaponry,” Mike McCord, the Pentagon’s top budget official, said in an interview. “We are also looking at the supply chain limitations. We haven’t got this figured out just yet.”

Top Pentagon and industry officials maintain that efforts are finally ramping up to replace the weapons that the United States and its allies have shipped to Ukraine — depleting stockpiles that are deemed crucial to deterring China or other potential adversaries for years to come.
...
She cited recent deals for tens of thousands of 155mm artillery rounds that the Ukrainians are using up almost as soon as they arrive. By the spring, “we will be able to do 20,000 rounds a month,” she said.

But it will take time to manufacture enough of them, she said, adding that the U.S. will get that rate up to 40,000 rounds a month in the spring of 2025.

20,000 rounds is what the Russian army uses in Ukraine on a quiet day. 40,000 rounds per day may be the average consumption, 60,000 rounds per day are fired when things get hot. It also produces enough to replace those rounds.

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This morning an explosion took place at a Russian airfield in the Volga region. The Russian military now says that it was from the debris of an Ukrainian drone that its air defenses had shot down:

AZ @AZgeopolitics - 17:13 UTC · 5 Dec 2022

🇺🇦✈️🇷🇺The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation: On the morning of December 5, the Kiev regime attempted to strike with jet drones at the "Dyagilevo" and "Engels"airfields.

Ukrainian UAVs flying at low altitude in the Ryazan and Saratov regions were intercepted by air defense means

Three Russian soldiers who were at the airfield lost their lives as a result of an attack by the Kiev regime, four more were wounded and taken to hospitals.

Ukrainian UAVs fired at Russian airfields were intercepted by air defense means.

As a result of the fall and explosion of the wreckage of Ukrainian UAVs at Russian airfields, the hull plating of two aircraft was slightly damaged.

Video showed that the explosion in Saratov took place on the ground. Air defense usually explodes a drone while it is still flying. I therefore doubt that the Russian report of this is completely truthful.

One also wonders where Ukraine found jet powered, long range suicide drones. It strongly doubt that these were homemade or will become available in higher quantities.

Posted by b on December 5, 2022 at 17:51 UTC | Permalink

Comments
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The Ukraine drone attacks were carried by 1000km/h rocket drones from the 1980s(?). They were flown at low altitude to escape Russian radar.

"The strike on the airfield in Engels was carried out by the Soviet UAV Tu-141 "Swift" - military commander Alexander Kots. "Swift" is able to overcome 1000 km in about 1 hour. Flight altitude up to 6 km."

https://t.me/Slavyangrad/23720

These have been used before in Donbas.

Posted by: Arfur Mo | Dec 5 2022 17:58 utc | 1

Like a Bridge over Troubled Waters, I will lay me down and celebrate the inevitable Russian Victory and implementation of the Final Solution to the Ukrainian Question. How Low? Do More.

Posted by: Noam A. Larkey | Dec 5 2022 18:01 utc | 2

> One also wonders where Ukraine found jet powered, long range suicide drones.

Avionics retrofit in existing Soviet era drones?

From Garmin for example.
Provides stand-alone or backup autopilot control, allowing coupled GPS approaches to be flown ...


$1596 ==> https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/514383

Posted by: too scents | Dec 5 2022 18:03 utc | 3

TU-141 drone. Used in USSR 1979-1989. Ukraine acquired a batch in 2014. Wonder who arranged that. Were flown into Donbas 2014, 2015. Total number produced was 142 so there are not large fleets of these.

One thing we all should have picked up this past year is that drones are simple. US has been coasting on Tomahawks basically as primitive as this TU-141. But it is simple. Ukraine is too messed up to produce much, their friends could supply them.

Imaginable Ukraine did this off their own bat. More likely this is Washington seeking a wider war. Only good way to stop this is to hit the head of the snake. Washington would love for Russia to do that. They still believe they can take the gloves off and defeat Russia. Does the sun rise in the east? That is how US thinks about US miitary might

Posted by: oldhippie | Dec 5 2022 18:06 utc | 4

When will the infantilism ever end?
Report: Putin fell down and pooped himself.
Poopy pants, poopy pants. Ha, ha.

Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Dec 5 2022 18:08 utc | 5

It strikes me as odd that many are critical of Putin and hope for a change of president.

It is remarkable that they believe things would improve for the west if Putin were not in power. On the contrary, if Putin were to be ousted, it is likely a hard liner would follow resulting in a world a lot closer to thermonuclear war.

Posted by: JustAnotherAussie | Dec 5 2022 18:12 utc | 6

This was probably done using nato weapons and nato soldiers but the paper generals and the paper government are trying to hide the information from the public because it would only create too many questions they can't answer, like "why there are no protection systems anywhere?"
I'm sure the next attack will be better, there are infinite retries isn't it? Slow is best!!!
I'd also like to know when is the proof about UK, it was announced about a month ago. Did nato unblock some frozen accounts and all if forgiven or it doesn't exist?

"Video showed that the explosion in Saratov took place on the ground. Air defense usually explodes a drone while it is still flying. I therefore doubt that the Russian report of this is completely truthful."

Not really. Fuel or ammo can explode when they hit the ground. A drone can be disabled without complete destruction in air so when it falls there still are things that can explode.

Posted by: rk | Dec 5 2022 18:12 utc | 7

Thanks for the posting b

I interpret the report of the attack at the "Dyagilevo" and "Engels"airfields as one where the air defense almost didn't get there on time as evidenced by the deaths and reported damage.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 5 2022 18:15 utc | 8

Just imagine if airfields were hit deep inside USA territory. What would USA do?

Putin said a while ago that Russia would not fight anymore wars on it's own territory. As of today, the war is being fought on it's own territory.

Maybe Russia should do something to try to win the war before it gets hit again.

Posted by: Anton Gorbatow | Dec 5 2022 18:17 utc | 9

@too scents "From Garmin for example.
Provides stand-alone or backup autopilot control, allowing coupled GPS approaches to be flown ..."

GPS capability, accelerometers, camera, decent processing power, lots of memory, light weight and compact size, modest power requirements - sounds like any cellphone these days. Quite an enabling technology.

Posted by: ian | Dec 5 2022 18:22 utc | 10

Video of President Putin driving across that bridge ....

suspect it's been a while since he drove himself!

https://southfront.org/vladimir-putin-drove-over-crimean-bridge-restored-after-terrorist-attack/

Posted by: Don Firineach | Dec 5 2022 18:27 utc | 11

"Now, less than two month later, the work is already done. Four damaged bridge spans have been replaced and a new tar cover has been laid on them. Today the Russia president drove a car over it:"

Sorry but that sounds a bit simp-ish on Russian MOD. Nobody except a total retard is reassured by a Putin photo op.

"One also wonders where Ukraine found jet powered, long range suicide drones. It strongly doubt that these were homemade or will become available in higher quantities."

Really?? I have pretty good idea... and that would be NATO. In typically cynical NATO fashion, their initial denials and assurances they will not provide high tech long range weapons and 'we refuse to escalate' statements, are then followed by plausibly deniable action that does the exact opposite. Seems like they found the prefect weapon: a low tech, long range drone that still does the job, and doesn't fit any description of weapons in NATO's arsenal. What a convenience.

This is then followed by Russia being able to do f all about it, and completely pretending the problem doesn't exist, and then we get another Kharkiv and Kherson episode with a bunch of bs to justify it.

Expect more of the same, or WW3.

Posted by: Et Tu | Dec 5 2022 18:28 utc | 12

I saw that report that VVP had crapped his pants. It reminded me that there was a credible report a while back that Joe Biden had soiled his. And then I watched that Avril Haynes interview with her projecting right left and centre with the usual stuff. But one bit did catch my attention. She wondered if Russia might downscale its initial SMO objectives. I read that as a bit of tic-tacing asking whether VVP would be willing to consider settling for denazification, demilitarizion, neutral Ukraine, & the 4 oblasts but leave the roll back of NATO to 1998 borders out of it. Or even revisit it later. There could be a deal on there.

Posted by: Guy L'Estrange | Dec 5 2022 18:31 utc | 13

sounds like any cellphone these days.
Posted by: ian | Dec 5 2022 18:22 utc | 11

---

More that just a cellphone.

GSA 28 Smart Autopilot Servo ==> https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/113734

In related news it is rumored that an Il-76 full of captured Western weapons has been sent to Iran for reverse engineering ==> https://t.me/infantmilitario/88820

The cheapest weapons will win.

Posted by: too scents | Dec 5 2022 18:31 utc | 14

Posted by: Anton Gorbatow | Dec 5 2022 18:17 utc | 13

Maybe RF is waiting until the fuse on Biden’s drawdown of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve burns right down into the dynamite stick? Another OPEC production cut before then should set the scene nicely.

Posted by: anon2020 | Dec 5 2022 18:34 utc | 15

@2 Zanny
As the Ukro cities are cold, dark and without water and their power infrastructure in ruins, the zany dimwit laughs at a couple of minor attacks although there was some loss of life. I wonder when this troll will finally figure out that the slimy, terrorist mentality of these nazi ukros and the wicked west, will need to get a few licks in or they'll go completely "ballistic" with frustration.

Posted by: safe | Dec 5 2022 18:35 utc | 16

@ Anton Gorbatow 11

You could try to stop being so hysterically liberal-minded. I expect Putin was talking about a Barbarossa scenario.

As to where the drone came from? Could be pulled from storage plus the Ukrs have the residual technical base & material to knock these together. A jet engine etc that wouldn't be fit for a manned aircraft can be put on an expandable drone, remember that whole issue with Zagreb awhile back.

Plus its worth remembering the Ukrs habitually pull eye-catching stunts just before somthing bad-to-worse happens to them.

The bridge attack happened right before the Russians started destroying the Ukr energy grid. I honestly doubt the bridge attack prompted those strikes, the Russians just used that attack for convenient PR cover on what they were already planning to do.

Posted by: Urban Fox | Dec 5 2022 18:36 utc | 17

In response oldhippie@6,

The wider question for me is how effective drones actually are in achieving military dominance. I don't think there's any doubt that drones are very good at selective pinprick attacks, both in the field against systems and in combination with missiles as in the Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.

In either case, as is presumably the case here, the significance of the damage comes from the value of the selected targets, not from destructive force of the drone itself. And, although drones appear effective at bypassing AA, this effectiveness seems to stem from either overloading AA coverage with additional targets or, conversely, slipping by AA in single numbers while hugging terrain. The question I have is whether Ukraine would be able to even delay Russian strikes by targeting Russian missile platforms in their bases with an unlimited (within reason) number of drones, not to mention inflict significant damage on the Russian ability to wage war in general. So far, Ukrainian strikes on Russia have been strictly symbolic, includes this latest incident, which may be a prerequisite of bypassing Russian AA.

Having said all that, I think it's still speculation at this point how these strikes were carried out and what system was used, Kotz' comment about TU-141 notwithstanding. I don't discard the possibility of the use of small man-portable drones from within Russian territory, and in some ways it would be a more plausible explanation.

Posted by: Skiffer | Dec 5 2022 18:37 utc | 18

thanks for the video Don #11.

thanks for cleaning out the trolls b, and for everything else as always.

Posted by: annie | Dec 5 2022 18:38 utc | 19

I have been reading this blog for months and hear lots of good information. As much as I want Russia to win, on this blog I see a lot of people putting on blinders and wanting to turn this blogs discussions into an echo chamber of how awesome Russia's military is doing.

I believe Russia will win but this SMO is showing that Russias military has a lot of work to do. Like many, I assumed Russia would win relatively quickly in Ukraine (like 1-2 months).

At this time Russia has been fought to a stand still in Dombass.i hear about Ukraine losses and poor logistics and running out of ammo any day now. And I hope it's true, but reality is that this war is at a stalemate. Lots of comments here about the mobilization and all these troops joining. But I believe these troops will be rotating current troops out for rest.

Ukraine is now hitting deep in Russia, Russia had to abandon parts of Russia (kherson). All the things I keep reading about what Russia is about to do reminds me a lot of the Qanon nonsense that was going on in 2019-2020 in the US wnd not based in reality.

I hope I am wrong and that Russia will sweep across and finish this war.

Posted by: Cageyplatypus | Dec 5 2022 18:40 utc | 20

Gur L'Estrange (13): If Russia only agreed to denazification and demilitarization and the four oblasts, it would be snatching defeat from victory. It would leave millions of pro-Russians at the mercy of the Ukrainians in the future. I am sure that the final outcome will be an unconditional surrender of Ukrainian forces, the relinquishing of Kiev and Kharkiv and Odessa and everything in-between. The West will have no say in this final solution.

Posted by: FHTEX | Dec 5 2022 18:46 utc | 21

A Pentagon budget official???? Wow!!! Trillions of dollars unaccounted for and this clown dares open his mouth. UnFuckingbelievable.

Posted by: par4 | Dec 5 2022 18:47 utc | 22

Skiffer @ 18

I agree with most of that. Reading a couple sources on Telegram that say Russiahas ruled out the small locally launched theory. But it is early and it is possible.

You are right this is not militarily significant. But. Russian citizens and military are dying on Russian soil. Russia does have the best AD in the world by far and Ukraine keeps evading it. Evding itthis time with a forty year old weapon. It looks very bad. This was done for symbolic effect and achieved that goal. Take a quick look at Larry Johnson's piece today. US does not know what is happening or what to do. Blind and very very stupid. With ability to hatch crazy schemes and goad RF to a much bigger war.

Posted by: oldhippie | Dec 5 2022 18:48 utc | 23

hey cagey
Maybe you should stop whining about then, it's better for your continence. Russia- for the umpteenth time, is looking at a mirror of themselves for the last 300 years. It's the same as if UK was attacking Canada. There is a LOT of family members and staunch monarchists in Canada that still have England in their hearts. Get a grip on the background and context as to why Putin and his generals aren't going full apeshid like the usa on Yugoslavia or Libya.

Posted by: safe | Dec 5 2022 18:50 utc | 24

Posted by: Urban Fox | Dec 5 2022 18:36 utc | 17

No. Russia started to hit the energy grid only as a response to Crimea bridge. The attack today wasn't planned (like any normal general would do), it was simply a response to the attacks on the airfields. We should thank nato for these attacks, otherwise it would have been another day of Russia doing nothing. What is sad is that they don't strike when civilians are attacked. The daily destruction and killing in Donetsk, Zap. and other cities is ignored, the new 300k army still can be found in action and they don't even use the more or less Iranian drones anymore

Posted by: rk | Dec 5 2022 18:51 utc | 25

anon2020 | Dec 5 2022 18:34 utc | 15

Also, the US produces no uranium (ZERO). ... Russia could cripple the West by withholding uranium exports to 'unfriendly countries'. That would include the US and EU. ... Then the West will truly be put back into the Dark Ages.

Posted by: Mummer | Dec 5 2022 18:52 utc | 26

The interesting question is whether the rail line part of the Kerch bridge is usable or not. And is it operating at full capacity?

I'm not going to believe anything the Russians (or anyone here) say about that. I'd have to see a video that could be positively dated to today showing the railline in use, or I would accept a U.S. or Ukranian source (since a working Kerch bridge is contrary to their interests). People who call me a troll, especially, do not bother to reply without including this kind of evidence.

Honestly, not sure I really care. Russians will advance westward in the Donbas or not. Ukrainians will advance on south Kherson and then Crimea or not. When it happens, I'll know it's happening because both sides actually tend to agree about frontlines roughly. I can't screw around any look at bridges and powerlines and try to figure it out. I've caught both sides in enough lying that I don't trust them and have stopped believing I know anything about Ukraine except about roughly where the frontlines are.


Posted by: GoFast | Dec 5 2022 18:53 utc | 27

The most important nugget b provides above is this:

“High-end conflict consumes a lot of munitions and a lot of weaponry,” Mike McCord, the Pentagon’s top budget official, said in an interview. “We are also looking at the supply chain limitations. We haven’t got this figured out just yet.”

Top Pentagon and industry officials maintain that efforts are finally ramping up to replace the weapons that the United States and its allies have shipped to Ukraine — depleting stockpiles that are deemed crucial to deterring China or other potential adversaries for years to come. [My Emphasis]

What Whiz Kid decided the Outlaw US Empire's Proxy War on Russia via Ukraine wouldn't be "high-end," that it would somehow be relegated to low-intensity such that only now--almost a year later--"supply chain limitations" are finally being assessed! And just how is increased production of 155mm ammo going to act as a "deterrent" to China "for years to come"?

Why would the Outlaw US Empire want to limit damage to Russia when the stated goal was to harm Russia as deeply and severely as possible?!

How many other aspects of this conflict weren't thought out before the decision was made to wage it? Crooke seems to be correct in his assessment:

"In what is likely to be seen in retrospect as the most egregious strategic intelligence failure of this era however, the intelligence services peddled to western states a hubristic assessment that Russia was a backward, failing state. With such an erroneous claim, the services created a genuinely-held conviction in Europe that massive sanctions on Russia and unrestrained psyops would unleash economic turmoil, followed by political upheaval in the Kremlin (of benefit to the West)."

But then, many barflies made that same assessment months ago. The next moves appear to be aimed at being played out on the Big Picture beyond Ukraine. Today, Lavrov had a very productive meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart that went beyond solving the issue with Armenia to solving issues related to the International North-South Transit Corridor that Iran's also high about (Lavrov specifically mentioned Iran in today's presser. Here's the relevant Q&A:

Question: How do you assess the potential for the development of the North-South transport corridor, a strategic project for Moscow and Baku? At what stage is the introduction of the MIR payment system in Azerbaijan?

Sergey Lavrov: The North-South international transport corridor project is regularly discussed at the level of presidents, heads of government, as well as transport agencies. Recently, these discussions have been revived, taking into account the emergence of clear assessments of how effective this project can be not only for our countries and Iran, which plans to take part in it, but also for the world economy. The implementation of the corridor brings significant benefits for all carriers between Asia and Europe, saving in all senses - in terms of time and financial costs. Currently, the project is being intensively studied. In the near future, we will be able to tell the media about how this process is progressing. There is interest from all sides on which its implementation depends.

The topic of the MIR payment system, as well as the connection of Azerbaijani banks to the financial message transmission system (SPFS) of the Central Bank of Russia, is very relevant. Three banks of Azerbaijan are already working on the basis of the SPFS. We also see interest in using the MIR payment system, which will significantly promote contacts between people, interaction between business structures and tourism. All these issues are under the control of the heads of government and relevant departments.

And then there's the issue of Russia's moves to negate the so-called price-cap on its oil, to which I recently proposed a hypothesis, that's yet another policy that reveals great lack of planning and insight as to its feasibility. One indicator: The level of the price cap reveals how badly the G-7+Australia need very cheap oil to keep their economies afloat. Much is made about EU and UK extremely serious energy shortfalls, but little is said about those within the Outlaw US Empire where impressive demand destruction has occurred--very frigid Black Friday retail sales are one very key indicator.

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 5 2022 18:53 utc | 28

Why hasn't Russia won yet? Because they are fighting their own people. Why would they want to decimate members of their own family? No, they are being careful, and only incrementally ramping things up only because they have no choice but to do so.

Posted by: anastasia | Dec 5 2022 18:55 utc | 29

Tu-141 drone has range of 1,000 km.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-141

Posted by: Ghost Ship | Dec 5 2022 18:56 utc | 30

what can we do? postedby asked;


wash democracy chains, with centuries of Action,
reactionary Committees, to provocateur factions.

movements spawn Answers, Assembled in masses,
soapbox dreams, can lead to ashes.

organize Coalitions, in Solidarity,
protesters learn, it's a rarity.

gather at assembly point, compromised adam eve,
wtf Antifa headquarters home, is in Kiev.

Posted by: meow | Dec 5 2022 19:00 utc | 31

Posted by: too scents | Dec 5 2022 18:31 utc | 14

Great info.

Using a stock smartphone as the autopilot and optics of a cheap, high volume drone is a very real option, though, perhaps the best for low cost designs.

Anything that could be flashed with a custom OS build would allow more flexibility, and a motherboard with a removable CSI connector would allow an external camera module (e.g.IR) to replace the built in one.

It’s not the best technical solution in all respects but it leverages existing mass produced systems that are already a pretty good fit.

Posted by: anon2020 | Dec 5 2022 19:03 utc | 32

Much is made about EU and UK extremely serious energy shortfalls ...
Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 5 2022 18:53 utc | 28

---

Demand destruction hasn't really begun yet.

https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/US-Crude-Oil-Oil-Products-Exports-Hit-All-Time-High.html

Posted by: too scents | Dec 5 2022 19:08 utc | 33

Russia IS winning. We are running out of artillery shells, and according to the Secretary of Defense it will take 2 years from whenever we start to rectify the problem. Oh, and a LOT of money.

Russia sends enough missiles at Ukraine that no one keeps track of individual missile strikes. The US gets one through on October, and it is still news in December.

This is exactly what winning is like. The US military, using NATO and Ukrainians as foot soldiers, are a HUGE cut above nations like Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet Russia fires 10x the number of artillery shells per day - and it is the US that is running out.

Posted by: Woke American | Dec 5 2022 19:13 utc | 34

Posted by: Mummer | Dec 5 2022 18:52 utc | 26

Really?
The US produces no uranium. Care to back up that assertion?
Energy Fuels (stock symbol UUUU) is the largest US producer with 3 US mines and the only mill in the US.
Bartender, cut off Mummer. He's drunk

Posted by: JoeDontSurf | Dec 5 2022 19:16 utc | 35

Posted by: Mummer | Dec 5 2022 18:52 utc | 26

I assume it would take much longer for uranium shortages to work their way through the system .... but also longer for any corrective action to alleviate the pain!

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 5 2022 18:53 utc | 28

Thanks for pointing that out. A revealing wish to the Oil Fairy.

Posted by: anon2020 | Dec 5 2022 19:18 utc | 36

The temperature for Donetsk City will be below freezing both day and night until Wednesday, the 7th. This will most likely freeze at least the top layer of water for a few inches. However, from December 9th until the 19th the day tempertures will be well above freezing during the day time (36 to 41 F) meaning most ground ice formation will melt during the day time. With the weather being such, for the next couple of weeks, the weather in the Donbas regions could cause a delay in any major defensive until the ground freezes 24 hours each day.

Looking at the weather forecast, it will be after December 19th before any serious ground water freezes set in.

https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/ukraine/donetsk/ext

Posted by: young | Dec 5 2022 19:22 utc | 37

Most likely the Ukrainian "drones" were indeed NATO missiles.

Posted by: young | Dec 5 2022 19:24 utc | 38

Posted by: Mummer | Dec 5 2022 18:52 utc | 26

Really?
The US produces no uranium. Care to back up that assertion?
Energy Fuels (stock symbol UUUU) is the largest US producer with 3 US mines and the only mill in the US.
Bartender, cut off Mummer. He's drunk

Posted by: JoeDontSurf | Dec 5 2022 19:16 utc | 35

Technically correct. But production has dramatically declined over the last decade:

https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/mining-of-uranium/world-uranium-mining-production.aspx

Likely due to the strong dollar and depressed prices. Cheaper to import than to mine and refine.

Canada (Cameco) can quickly ramp up production if needed.

Posted by: Opport Knocks | Dec 5 2022 19:25 utc | 39

re: Cageyplatypus | Dec 5 2022 18:40 utc

A lot of "I"s in your comment. Try and expand your perspective and then you might understand.

Posted by: tucenz | Dec 5 2022 19:27 utc | 40

"Video of President Putin driving across that bridge ....

suspect it's been a while since he drove himself!"

I'm going to update an old joke.

Putin was in the back seat of a limousine being driven across Moscow to an important meeting, and it looked like he was going to be late.

"Driver, please go faster, I'm going to be late," said Putin.

"But Mr. Putin, I am under strict orders not to speed," said the chauffeur. "I could get arrested and lose my job."

"Then never mind," said Putin, "stop the car, let's change seats, I'll drive."

So Putin drove like a madman at high speed. He passed a couple of traffic cops.

"OK let's go arrest that moron for outrageous speeding," said one cop."

"No," said the other cop, "let's do nothing."

"Why not?" said the first cop. "Who was in that car?"

"I don't know," said the second cop, "but his Chauffeur was Putin."

Posted by: TG | Dec 5 2022 19:28 utc | 41

Trolls gonna troll ... and it's nothing but a waste of time. The hand-wringing, half truths and regurgitation of MSM propaganda isn't changing any minds, or somehow creating a new reality. All it does is expose willful ignorance or plain old lack of personal integrity. I pity anyone falling victim to themselves in that way.

Posted by: LastLaugh | Dec 5 2022 19:29 utc | 42

@28 Cont'd--

Sputnik has a very good article about the attempted oil price cap and why it's doomed to fail, "Why G7 Price Capping Won't Harm Russia, But Will Accelerate Inflation & Recession in the West", where we find this:

The G7 plan relies on prohibiting shipping and insurance companies from providing services to Russia unless the latter agrees to sell its crude for $60 per barrel or less. However, Moscow made it clear that it wouldn't bow to the Group of Seven demands and instrumentalized its own fleet of tankers and insurance companies.

In May, Rosneft PJSC and Gazprom Neft PJSC, the country's two major oil producers, started increasing the bookings of tankers owned by Sovcomflot PJSC [Link at Original], Russia's largest shipping company specializing in the maritime transportation of hydrocarbons.

Moreover, the Western mainstream press reported in December that Moscow had acquired an additional 100 vessels. The Russian National Reinsurance Company (RNRC) and IPJSC Ingosstrakh are said to become major insurers for Russian oil carriers. [My Emphasis]

As I predicted, Russia and OPEC+ will combine forces to defeat the illegal sanctions regime by forcing the Outlaw US Empire to use its military to enforce its illegal sanctions. Once Russia and OPEC+ make a mockery of the illegal energy sanctions, more nations will cease allowing illegal sanctions to impede their behavior while also moving to the ever-expanding Russian and Chinese clearing systems. IMO, future historians will see the illegal sanctions regime as the primary cause in the global facture of the Dollar System that's served the Empire so well since the Fed took over and Neoliberalism's parasitic roots were firmly implanted into the USA's body. Take a moment to reflect on just how hard it would have been for Russia and China to dedollarize their trade and overall global trade if the Outlaw US Empire hadn't helped so much by behaving so brazenly & illegally. Clearly a case of being willfully blinded by hubris and its underlying Pleonexia.

With SCO & EAEU merging together along with all the other regional trading organizations, the Eurasian economic landscape will look rather different at 2023's end with the EU & UK prostate and together with the Outlaw US Empire beset by rampaging inflation combined with shortages of energy and commodities thus showing once and for all the degree of Geoeconomic dependency all three had on Russia and the utter folly of trying to alter that dependency with no ready alternatives.

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 5 2022 19:31 utc | 43

...-very frigid Black Friday retail sales are one very key indicator.

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 5 2022 18:53 utc | 28

Sorry OT, but I need to ask, were there any homicidal incidents this year? Though, suicides by money people need not be worried about.

Posted by: tucenz | Dec 5 2022 19:33 utc | 44

On the uranium "issue".

FFS people. Literally, I typed "US ura" and suggestion pops, "US uranium imports". One mouse click to arrive at:

As of July 2022:
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/nuclear/where-our-uranium-comes-from.php

Posted by: Old canadian | Dec 5 2022 19:38 utc | 45

thanks b... and thanks for all the extra work you are having to do here as well.. thanks to the informed posters as well..

Posted by: james | Dec 5 2022 19:43 utc | 46

@TG #41

Think I might borrow that one. Ta. D.

BTW Victoria Nuland was in Kiev on Sunday - admiring her handiwork one assumes and renewing relations with her Right Sektor and Georgian Legion allies.

Posted by: Don Firineach | Dec 5 2022 19:46 utc | 47

It will be statistical certainty that the odd shell...missile or even aircraft will slip through the gaps thanks to NATO surveillance...it will be a psychological operation with no bearing on overall tempo of operations....a last dying breath. There is a operational amendment to the standing orders on nuclear weapon deployment from 2020 which basically says that if conventional weapons are used against Russian weapons systems that are part of Russia's strategic nuclear deterrent then Russian nuclear weapons can be used in retaliation....

Posted by: Joe | Dec 5 2022 19:46 utc | 48

It is so nice NATO did not hit the bridge while being inspected. Guess that will be next month? Seems Russia is caught between being totally under China, and withdrawing from Ukraine, including Donesk Luhansk and Crimea (Think they should be able to keep Sevastapol on old terms) and then they still can keep sovereignty and the regime its dashas and lovers. Global pariah, it is so sad what has come to the land of Dostoyevski, Pushkin, Gogol, and so many brilliant women and men. No one thinks America is good, no one thinks China is good. But what Russia has done has been terrible from the start, and painfully predictable. If Putin complains that Russia is fighting all of NATO, it is not for lack of NATO saying what would happen. From 2014 NATO publicly armed and trained Ukraine. Thirty high tech nations spent eight years arming and training Ukraine against further Russian advances. As part of that NATO implicitly backed the ugly Ukrainian assaults on its occupied east, as was perhaps justifiable but was really sad. Perhaps, really, just another provocation. But it does not matter what the provocation was, it was not an internationally condemned invasion. America is a mad part of the brit empire and its population and politics have never had bearing on its military operations since 1865. China is the only target, and Russia has the most to lose with China.... so.... foregone conclusion. With the US Afghanistan fail gambit they made China and tool Russia move too soon. As my first post said here in the days of Feb... Amerikkka wins again... oh well... Nazis fighting NAzis fighting Nazis. I suggest love and fellowship. Love anarchy. Fuck all these liars. The planet can not afford stupid monkey antics. All is in our grasp. Pleasure for all! Down with Moron! Down with Moron! Think NATo and Co. will it the kerch bridge with fifty rockets a day? okay, five. All so sad, on our glorious there of life falling through the dead universe. Sweet life. Love each other! Russia will join with NATO against China Tibet will be free, Uigurstan will be free, China will be free, the PRC a bad memory, subject only of chilling documentaries nd shaking heads. Putin, well, take the shame, take it on the chin, withdraw, and retire to your favorite three properties. Honest, you and your offspring can live our your lives and move freely if you withdraw before January 17th, 2023 CE. Good luck! Really, otherwise, I doubt the future existence of Russia as a political entity. Love is the answer, respect consent and, if you actually read this far friend, check out the track, bit much, by CLAMM sweet aussie punk pixies ... hmmm, what else, oh, I like RATBOY ready for tomorrow .... I am not a fanatic! I still listen to Instasanka Gotta Run sweet track and what a video, so sallow and tragic and fun. Better train all your missiles on the PRC... you know the NATO block is your only hope after going the wrong way, like 1938 Molotov Ribbentrop ... ruin awaits, the sooner you jump, the better. Russia vs. friend Ukraine. China vs. neighbors. Strike the U.S. ... find it was never there. oh horror. Withdraw... bide time not for further imperialism, but the end of economy. Do the math. Nanoscience. Instant food and goods, next year. stop fighting. celebrate. we have all arrive. conserve nature and the earth. love No mercy to traitor souls

Posted by: Ahole | Dec 5 2022 19:47 utc | 49

cagey @ 20

Try harder cagey, yer givin'us aussies a bad name.

"I have been reading this blog for months and hear lots of good information." But none of it sank in. All of your questions have been answered.

Posted by: Steve from Oz | Dec 5 2022 19:57 utc | 50

fyi
Elijah Magnier weighs in on this one


https://twitter.com/ejmalrai/status/1599805532927582208

Russian airstrikes hammered #Ukraine cities hours after reports of an explosion (drone attacks) at two different Russian military airfields, Dyagilevo and Engels, where Moscow's Tu-95MS (damaging two) and Tu-160 strategic bomber squadrons reside.

Sending drones 700 km inside #Russia can only be the #US and allies planned and executed attacks with western drones capable of evading Russian radars. #Moscow understands who is behind these attacks (certainly not #Ukraine).

#Russia Defence Ministry confirmed that explosions at Dyagilevo airbase (Ryazan region) and Engels-2 airbase (Saratov region) caused the death of 3 Russian servicemen and 4 injured.

Posted by: michaelj72 | Dec 5 2022 20:01 utc | 51

tucenz @46--

I can't be sure about homicides but there were no deaths via stampede as most Black Friday's have caused over the past decade. Sales reports from this year's Black Friday have yet to be made available, but the early assessments were very dismal.

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 5 2022 20:04 utc | 52

Somethings dont seem right with the Moscow's strategy.

For example, you don't have to destroy infrastructure to stop the trains; you destroy the engines with drones; which cannot be easily replace because of the gauge differences with Western countries. Fewer supplies, ineffient military transport, result in less effective AFU operations more AFU casualties and fewer RF.

Time creates more opportunities, not less and the unexpected will dominate operations the longer time things take. One has to control events before time is your ally.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention, and AFU has become increasingly effective in their special operations. Their operations here have a had disproportionate effects on RF military operations from the Moscova to the recent air field attacks.

True the RF can destroy Ukrainian infrastructure whenever they want. However, their past actions regarding infrastructure destruction appear to be uncoupled from achieving other objectives in the theater of operations.

To me it seems there are too many gaps and spaces in the RF Special Operations strategy to-date and not very effective relative to the level of effort for their gains.

Total destruction of Ukraine infrastructure will most likely ensure territorial success but will it result in the desired political solution (whatever that may be)?

Just sayin

Posted by: Jerr | Dec 5 2022 20:06 utc | 53

More on that bridge ....

The Grayzone on UK planning since 2014 ....

https://thegrayzone.com/2022/10/10/ukrainian-kerch-bridge/

Posted by: Don Firineach | Dec 5 2022 20:11 utc | 54

As for the drones/missiles that hit the Russian airbases. Being everyone is claiming these were old USSR (refurbed?) stock, the Russian MoD will figure out the original serial number or forensically (unique model/lot traits) determine the manufacture date/location and any US-added modifications. That should tell them all they need to know. This smells of CIA/Mossad.

There is no way the Uki-nazis did this without direct US/ZATO spy/command inputs. So the US (Israel?) has FUNCTIONALLY declared war on Russia...

I think any US/ZATO assets in Ukraine better head for the deepest bunkers they can find. Not that it would help. Recall Iran killed/injured nearly 100 US military in a deep bunker in Saudi Arabia.

Retribution for the dead Russians will be taken when Russia sees fit. I think Cookies Nuland and any other US/ZATO idiots may want to stay out of Ukraine indefinitely.

Posted by: Old canadian | Dec 5 2022 20:22 utc | 55

karlof1 | Dec 5 2022 19:31 utc | 43

Often in life the answer to a complex problem turns out to be quite simple. This comment gives a prime example.

The Sirius Report
@thesiriusreport
Because #fintwit believes there has to be another WRC to replace $, they are lulled into totally false sense of security about its future and relative longevity. When there is realisation that there is no need to have WRC in future, assumptions about $ are turned on their head.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Dec 5 2022 20:22 utc | 56

[email protected]'s not quite how it works, 41f is not bikini weather. If there is any wind, factor that in. Its the overnight lows that call the shots, a few days of Sun, especially at current northern hemisphere angle, will make little difference to the guys in the wet frozen trenches. Not taking into consideration, diesel engines do not work well in cold weather, must run 24/7, or be heated to restart.

Cheers M

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Dec 5 2022 20:29 utc | 57

Posted by: michaelj72 | Dec 5 2022 20:01 utc | 51

It was said that the drones flew at low altitude, and their long range enables flight plans that can circumvent air defenses, if their location is known. Most likely this is what happened, but it was also claimed that the drone was shot down over the airfield (in Ryazan) and debris fell onto the fuel track, etc.

Regarding air strikes - roughly speaking the electrical grid in the eastern half, including Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa is probably toast but the western half might be harder to keep down. The little tidbit about Arcelor Mittal's steel plant in Krivoy rog was surprising - it still had utility value providing steel billets to Europe due to high electricity prices there! Until it got hit, today.

https://t.me/sitreports/1667

Posted by: unimperator | Dec 5 2022 20:30 utc | 58

I am the guy that is neutral to this s*it.

I wonder: what is wrong w/ RF air defences that an outdated USSR-drone can reach 700/1000km (?) deep into Russian territory hurting those airfields?

Maybe they were modern NATO-drones?!

And - IF - it was really Ukraine doing it w/ its own means - then Russia's military and its capabilities are a joke. Corruption or mismanagement the reason?

I do not buy the narrative of the West for one second, but more and more it becomes obvious that something else is going on. By what we can read in the MSM of the West or Russian media, it cannot explain the capabilities of Ukraine.

My best guess is that Russia is getting hit by NATO special forces, their 5th column MI5/6 or whatever -and the Russians know - but they are unwilling to hit back because it would trigger the end of the world as in article 5. RF knows that they would loose a direct, non-nuclear conflict with NATO big time.

Your opinions for reasons of those strange events in Russia for the past 6-8 months?

I am really puzzled.

Posted by: Bernd | Dec 5 2022 20:31 utc | 59

...I am really puzzled.
Posted by: Bernd | Dec 5 2022 20:31 utc | 59

"none but ourself can free our mind". Do some selfwork.

Posted by: tucenz | Dec 5 2022 20:38 utc | 60

JoeDontSurf | Dec 5 2022 19:16 utc | 35

"" The US produces no uranium. Care to back up that assertion? ""

Yes ... As of 2019, the total production was 0.3% of fuel requirements (and going down by the year). See here:

Uranium mining in the United States produced 173,875 pounds (78.9 tonnes) of U3O8 in 2019, 88% lower than the 2018 production of 1,447,945 pounds (656.8 tonnes) of U3O8 and the lowest US annual production since 1948. The 2019 production represents 0.3% of the anticipated uranium fuel requirements of the US's nuclear power reactors for the year.[1][2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium_mining_in_the_United_States

(PS. This is no 'hidden secret'. Even a drunk could find it in about 45 seconds, but apparently you can't. ... Hmmm?)

Posted by: Mummer | Dec 5 2022 20:39 utc | 61

It's possible the RF made up the Tu-141 Strizh story like they made up the Moskva ammo explosion story, and for myself I still think they made up Kerch Bridge truck bomb story. Could be all three were USA missiles or advanced drones and the RF isn't taking the escalation bait. Sad to watch if you are siding with the RF but war's a bitch for spectators too.

The explosion seen on the Daily Mail vid is very big. At night the explosions seem much bigger but I'm sure it did more damage than the RF is letting on. The attack was set right before Russia's big missile strike so it could have killed plane crews.

Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Dec 5 2022 20:40 utc | 62

@Bernd | Dec 5 2022 20:31 utc | 59

Your opinions for reasons of those strange events in Russia for the past 6-8 months?
Since you are neutral, you are the best to figure it out. Then come and tell us all about it, complete with facts.

Posted by: Norwegian | Dec 5 2022 20:42 utc | 63

@ TG | Dec 5 2022 19:28 utc | 41 with the Putin humor.....Thanks for that!


@ Bernd | Dec 5 2022 20:31 utc | 59 who wrote
"
I am the guy that is neutral to this s*it.
"

A guy walks into a bar and that is the first thing he says....LOL!

I believe your concern lacks the proper context. Humanity is in a civilization war about public/private finance as part of the social contract....finance is private in the West and forced like a jackboot on much of the RoW. China and now Russia and others are being forced to throw off and challenge the private unipolar world of global finance that has been operative for centuries. The SMO in Ukraine is just part of a bigger struggle operating under a MAD umbrella that we read is limiting the range of weapons that none admit are being supplied to Ukraine.

Desperation is in effect on behalf of the private finance side and so they are attempting all sorts of tricky aggression and some of it is working to a degree.....but not enough to win this war.

Welcome to the bar. Have a libation on me.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 5 2022 20:44 utc | 64

Putin Drove the first Truck across the Crimea bridge 4 years ago when it opened

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq67ffeJUc4

Posted by: Exile | Dec 5 2022 20:45 utc | 65

Dima says that the attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure were very light today.
If that is so, then it is a terrible error from the Russian side.
Destructing energy infrastructure, and creating refugees is the only way to affect The collective West.
Russians still do not understand that this is a total war.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2uA1uBvMYU

Posted by: margo | Dec 5 2022 20:47 utc | 66

UK and Ukraine are becoming desperate. The west has become bored with the war against Russia.

The letter bombs and other packages sent to Ukraine embassies. Propaganda stunt of no military value with the drone strikes into Russia.

The Sullivan Patrushev talks left the fanatical Brits sitting out in the cold.
Detente - some form of agreement - acknowledgement of red lines - something occurred there that will become clearer in the future.

Uk provocations and propaganda promo's now have little chance of succeeding.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Dec 5 2022 20:48 utc | 67

Today, Russia MOD said that they attacked multiple areas of Ukraine with missiles and disrupted Ukraine's ability to transfer troops and Western supplied weapons to the front lines.

Can anyone please tell me why this wasn't done several months ago.

Posted by: Anton Gorbatow | Dec 5 2022 20:48 utc | 68

Posted by: rk | Dec 5 2022 18:51 utc | 25

Maybe, but I find it hard to believe these things are strictly reactive. Ukr actions might shift the extract time-frames but the energy grid was in line for hammering W/O the bridge bombing.

Allowing yourself to be goaded into rash actions isnt helpful either, and likely to incur higher costs down the line.

As for the 300,000 troops (re)training sorting out a force that size is hardly a trivial challenge. They were never going to appear en-masse to the front in a few weeks, unless the RF adopted unconscionable practises such as sending unprepared troops to the front with a gun & a few mags of ammo.

As for the drones I imagine they're stocking up. The things were most effective in swarms.

Posted by: Urban Fox | Dec 5 2022 20:54 utc | 69

Mummer #26

Also, the US produces no uranium (ZERO). ... Russia could cripple the West by withholding uranium exports to 'unfriendly countries'. That would include the US and EU. ... Then the West will truly be put back into the Dark Ages.

Australia can supply.

"Australia has around one third of the world's uranium resources, and is the world's third ranking producer, accounting for approximately 10 per cent of annual global production. There are currently three operating uranium mines: Ranger in the Northern Territory, and Olympic Dam and Beverley Four Mile in South Australia. The Ranger uranium mine is scheduled to close in January 2021. The Honeymoon uranium mine in South Australia was placed in care and maintenance in 2013 but has since been purchased by Boss Resources Limited, which has plans to restart and expand the operation. There are four projects in Western Australia with state environmental approval: Cameco Australia's Yeelirrie and Kintrye projects, Toro Energy's Wiluna project and Vimy Resources' Mulga Rock project.7"

from: https://www.dfat.gov.au/publications/corporate/asno-annual-report-2018-19/site/section-2/australias-uranium-production-and-exports.html

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Dec 5 2022 20:57 utc | 70

Apparently an old drone damaged a couple of planes and killed 3 soldiers.

Well its over now. Russia is doomed.

Nothing to see here time to move to another room.

Posted by: Klaatu | Dec 5 2022 20:58 utc | 71

How did the subject of the lack of Uranium production within the Outlaw US Empire get onto a thread dedicated to the Ukraine issue?

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 5 2022 20:59 utc | 72

"because it would trigger the end of the world "

Bernd | Dec 5 2022 20:31 utc | 59

Bernd....please....that kind of talk explains nothing...its just religious
froth.
I accept most of the rest as fair opinion.
there have been on this site (and I am new here)...many discussions that
conclude NATO is incapable of raising manpower, munitions, motivation and means of delivery to activate any kind of serious threat to Russia.
The idea of aircraft carriers loaded with airborne assault teams, high precision attack aircraft etc...backed up with nuclear submarines...ICBMs
is all pie in the sky Alice in Wonderland stuff.
Maybe (probably correct) there are small cells of western special forces
skulking around in Ukraine with excellent techniques of doing damage.
But thats it.

Now imagine Russia decided to put LSD in the water supply in a few areas of Britain.
Is it possible....probably.
or to explode an underwater device in the Bristol channel at a very high tide moment...causing a Tsunami to flood most upstream areas.
Is it possible...probably.
So if you get my point...its just a pissy war and the russians are creeping forward like molten larva....and it will permanently change the landscape.

Posted by: harryash | Dec 5 2022 21:00 utc | 73

Can anyone please tell me why this wasn't done several months ago.
Posted by: Anton Gorbatow | Dec 5 2022 20:48 utc | 68

Russia is not the US. The Russian operation is called a Special Military Operation rather than war. War as an extension of politics. Military power used like a surgeons scalpel to create geo-political circumstances. A touch here a touch there.

I looked at all the 2016 president of empire candidates web pages for foreign policy. Not a single yank arsehole had a foreign policy. Only war policy. War for the sake of war. Sheepdog sanders had war and peace policy.

Dipshit American diplomacy. Gunboat diplomacy. Russia can easily lead these toddler sized brain farts to their own destruction.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Dec 5 2022 21:00 utc | 74

Anton Gorbatow @68--

Can anyone please tell me why this wasn't done several months ago.

Yes. It's been explained over and again over those same several months.

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 5 2022 21:02 utc | 75

I see it's hopeless! (Throws arms up into air in despair.)

The fucking issue isn't lack of uranium as uncle tungsten shows. The fucking problem for the Outlaw US Empire is its lack of uranium enrichment facilities, which I provided very detailed information about to barflies 3+ years ago. Doing a search reveals lots of info about that and why. The last major facility was shut in 2016 because it was cheaper to buy reactor fuel from Russia than to produce it within the Empire.

Posted by: karlof1 | Dec 5 2022 21:10 utc | 76

Anton Gorbatow #68

Some detailed background for those inquiries:

https://www.leftbrainwave.com/2022/11/the-coming-european-economic-apocalypse.html#TOC7d

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Dec 5 2022 21:10 utc | 77

diesel engines do not work well in cold weather, must run 24/7, or be heated to restart.

Cheers M

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Dec 5 2022 20:29 utc

HUH? Did you read this somewhere of just assume it is true because you saw it once in a national Geographic Special.

In Canada using blockheaters/trickle chargers is more for convenience, diesels will start without it. But this reduces engine wear and extends the life of batteries.

Running 24/7 common? Think Resolute Bay, not North Bay.


Posted by: Old canadian | Dec 5 2022 21:11 utc | 78

There's a very small chance air defense killed those soldiers. The air base was hit right on target, Russia clueless despite the obvious hints ukraine gave it was going to attack them.

Therefore most likely its a traitor let the defenses down, or Russia is hacked because the NSA let's them get chips for their military then just spy on all their highest tech equipment.

Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | Dec 5 2022 21:12 utc | 79

karlof1 #76

The last major facility was shut in 2016 because it was cheaper to buy reactor fuel from Russia than to produce it within the Empire.

Thank you and if the USA is in dire straits, they could always contract IRAN to enrich a bunch of nuggets for their reactors. Failing that the Illegal Occupier of Palestine has a stash.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Dec 5 2022 21:13 utc | 80

Bernd | Dec 5 2022 20:31 utc | 59

Take a reality check and think about how effective the UK/Ukraine propaganda strikes into Russia have been militarily.

Place some upgraded chips and software in an old soviet drone and it becomes a modern drone. Plot a low flying course through Russian radar according to NATO surveillance. Inflict insignificant damage.
Provocations are about causing knee jerk reactions. Russia never responds in a kneejerk manner though a lot of this is targeted at the US knee jerkers.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Dec 5 2022 21:14 utc | 81

Military Summary is saying that the Ukrainian drones destroyed a nuclear strategic aircraft today. If that is the case then one should not be dismissive regarding this attack.

Posted by: Anton Gorbatow | Dec 5 2022 21:16 utc | 82

Peter AU1 #81

Dead right. Replace a few batteries, top up the tank, program the gps and down the nearest sealed road as good as an airstrip. Someone said the ukes have 140 of them as of 2014 and have been using them for some time.

The point is it appears to have been snuffed in the last few hundred meters and splatted onto the tarmac taking out a fuel truck and some humans.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Dec 5 2022 21:20 utc | 83

Anton Gorbatow #82

Remain calm, Dima sometimes gets ahead of himself and imagines great storyboards for a drama series.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Dec 5 2022 21:23 utc | 84

Can anyone please tell me why this wasn't done several months ago.
Posted by: Anton Gorbatow | Dec 5 2022 20:48 utc | 68

According to "dear friends" Dima, the RF didn't have the satellites in orbit for close obs on Ukraine until very recently.

Posted by: Gt Stroller | Dec 5 2022 21:24 utc | 85

Good to see the bridge repaired and Putin taking a drive by salute to the workers. Russia builds for the people, the West - not so much.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Dec 5 2022 21:25 utc | 86

Anton Gorbatow #82

Remain calm, Dima sometimes gets ahead of himself and imagines great storyboards for a drama series.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Dec 5 2022 21:23 utc | 84

uncle tungsten...is that a nice way of saying...watta loada bollox

Posted by: harryash | Dec 5 2022 21:25 utc | 87

Peter AU1 @ 67

The Sullivan Patrushev talks left the fanatical Brits sitting out in the cold.
Detente - some form of agreement - acknowledgement of red lines - something occurred there that will become clearer in the future. Uk provocations and propaganda promo's now have little chance of succeeding.

Interesting take, unless Sullivan was just pulling Patrushev’s chain as a continuation of Russian chain pulling since 1991. Of course Patrushev would see through it but a job is a job.

I find it hard to believe there is a split btwn UK deep state and USA deep state, there was a big one btwn UK and USA at the end of WW2 where Churchill was set on nuking the USSR, but I don't see the UK daring to go rogue with military acts without full accord from the Emperor. Of course there could be a reckless UK/USA deep state faction vs a sober deep state faction lucha libre happening, a battle within the praetorian guard, knives behind every curtain.

Peter AU1 @ 74

I looked at all the 2016 president of empire candidates web pages for foreign policy. Not a single yank arsehole had a foreign policy. Only war policy. War for the sake of war. Sheepdog sanders had war and peace policy.

I supported Bernie back then, and yeh, he notably had no foreign policy whatsoever, so much for him being the thinking man's candidate, maybe he figured an intelligent comprehensive platform went out with bell bottoms and in the present time such things are just millstones round your political neck. What seems intelligent now is to just make different shit up every day.

Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Dec 5 2022 21:42 utc | 88

well mr GoFast 27

apart from various news items c 10 October saying rail bridge has opened.. I have a whatsapp photo on my phone 20 October my wife sent to me as she crossed it. So there . But cannot post photo here. So I think that is you are going to get. She even spoke to me today.
Also Russia is extremely sensitive to vids etc of the bridge and have said they will prosecute such persons as
info could be useful to enemies.

BTW....just some fuel oil wagons were vurnt out not the whole train

Posted by: Jo | Dec 5 2022 21:44 utc | 89

Comment from Big Serge's Twitter about the Ukrainian electric grid...

Big Serge ☦️🇺🇸🇷🇺
@witte_sergei
One idiosyncrasy about Ukraine's grid and the Russian air campaign is the fact that Ukraine entered this war with a huge power surplus. The Ukrainian grid was built by the USSR to power a heavily industrialized region of over 50 million people.
8:25 AM · Dec 5, 2022

Big Serge ☦️🇺🇸🇷🇺
@witte_sergei
5h
Replying to
@witte_sergei
After the fall of the USSR, Ukraine began to depopulate and deindustrialize, and this process was accelerated by the war. So instead of a highly industrial nation of 50 million, it's an economically ruined country of perhaps 30-35 million. That leaves a ton of excess power.

Big Serge ☦️🇺🇸🇷🇺
@witte_sergei
5h
Incidentally, this is the unpleasant reality of Ukraine. Soviet Ukraine was the USSR's most economically developed region, and the beneficiary of enormous state investment. The Ukrainian regime turned it into the worst performing post-Soviet economy. Sad!

Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Dec 5 2022 21:44 utc | 90

Putin drives across repaired Crimea bridge in a luxury car, yet the only thing people are talking about in the West in regards to Putin is the unsubstantiated claim (via the New York Post) that he fell down a flight of stairs and shit himself. This is exactly the reason why the Western Establishment can get away with this stupid war in Ukraine: the average Joe Blow in America and Europe is a normie dipshit who sleep-walks through life without ever questioning what's going on around him.

Posted by: Monos | Dec 5 2022 21:46 utc | 91

Not sure if this counts as "minor damage" to the bomber... Picture posted by Russians With Attitude on Twitter. Post also includes pics of the destroyed truck - with a considerable amount of blood spatter. Looks to me like this bomber is out of action for a while, but then I'm not an aircraft engineer.

https://twitter.com/RWApodcast/status/1599834768853848064/photo/4

Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Dec 5 2022 21:49 utc | 92

Old [email protected] charge, tickle charge, a block heater consumes in excess of eight amps, big blocks sometimes have two heaters, you can use starter fluid but blown engines come in to play. Drive by a truck stop in winter, how many big rigs are turned off.....duh.

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Dec 5 2022 21:54 utc | 93

@ LightYearsFromHome | Dec 5 2022 21:42 utc | 88 with the speculation
"
Of course there could be a reckless UK/USA deep state faction vs a sober deep state faction lucha libre happening, a battle within the praetorian guard, knives behind every curtain.
"

On the Musk/Twitter/Tabbi thread I challenged commenter Gruff to tell us which of the factions owns the levers of global private finance and I am no longer sure the God of Mammon cult are behind some of the "activity" we are seeing so I am warming to what we can call the PavewayIV concept, which your words also describe.

On multiple previous threads PavewayIV has posited that there is a rogue group or more in Ukraine that is making it harder for Russia to respond to, Ukraine to control and this also may be going on in a larger context....Hmmmm

Maybe the shit show will consume itself....grin

Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 5 2022 21:56 utc | 94

Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Dec 5 2022 21:49 utc | 92

I went to that twitter page to hava look...

somehow I got onto Syrian Girl

Fck...she definitely rocks my boat.

Posted by: harryash | Dec 5 2022 21:57 utc | 95

peter au, karlof1, uncle tungsten and etc... thanks for responding to what is a regularly occurrence of apparently innocent questions... these folks typically never come back to thank you for it either.. i wonder who they are? definitely they don't read moa!

@ Richard Steven Hack | Dec 5 2022 21:44 utc | 90 // 92

thanks for that.. sums up the situation pretty well at this point.. thanks for the link @ 92 as well..

@ Monos | Dec 5 2022 21:46 utc | 91

sounds about right for usa news feed...

Posted by: james | Dec 5 2022 21:59 utc | 96

NYT this afternoon, they’re still running out of ammo!

Russian Cruise Missiles Were Made Just Months Ago Despite Sanctions
Weapons investigators in Kyiv found that at least one Russian Kh-101 cruise missile used in widespread attacks there on Nov. 23 had been made no earlier than October.

Some of the cruise missiles that Russia launched at Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure in late November were manufactured months after the West imposed sanctions intended to deprive Moscow of the components needed to make those munitions, according to a weapons research group.

Experts examined remnants of Kh-101 cruise missiles found in Kyiv, the capital, after an attack on Nov. 23 that knocked out electricity and shut down water systems in large areas of the country. One of the missiles was made this summer, and another was completed after September, markings on the weapons show, according to a report released by the investigators on Monday.

That Russia has continued to make advanced guided missiles like the Kh-101 suggests that it has found ways to acquire semiconductors and other matériel despite the sanctions or that it had significant stockpiles of the components before the war began, one of the researchers said.

Posted by: upstater | Dec 5 2022 22:07 utc | 97

Guys! I am a lefty. I am against gay marriage bc I am against (the tax benefits) of marriage. Same time I am not part of the “querdenker” movement. Same time I very much support two people loving each other and having a stable relationship. Don’t u? And if both are male or female? What is the problem? On this part – I guess we disagree. And please do not come up with child abuse. Most of it happens – and all stats show it -in straight relationships. Gay = paedophile is a right wing propaganda tool. Reality and statistics proves it that it is wrong.

Start to accept those facts – and then some doors might open up for you "in the collective west”. Remember Röhm btw? Homosexuality always has been – if u like it or not – been part of humanity. Get finally used to it.

The collective west is as homophobe as you are – but your blunt approach allows them to pretend to be better. You are being played and – sorry to say – dumb.

Way more interesting is the issue: how can a better world for all people be built?

Posted by: Bernd | Dec 5 2022 22:08 utc | 98

The Duran made a post on their Locals page that they'll be on The Jimmy Dore Show at 6:15 pm ET. I'm reasonably sure the topic here will be getting discussed, and getting good exposure.

https://theduran.locals.com/post/3162034/the-duran-on-the-jimmy-dore-show

Posted by: Babel-17 | Dec 5 2022 22:09 utc | 99

image of the Dyagilevo Airfield

https://t.me/Slavyangrad/23728
https://t.me/Slavyangrad/23724

Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Dec 5 2022 22:20 utc | 100

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